Workplace Violence

Employee Guidelines and Procedures

General Security Practices

· Never hesitate to call the police if confronted with a potentially violent situation. It is better to have called the police unnecessarily than not to have the police available when a threatening situation turns violent.

· Never attempt to physically restrain or physically remove a threatening or violent individual by yourself. Doing so puts you in danger and leaves you and the company vulnerable to possible lawsuits.

· Always report violent, threatening, or harassing behavior to your supervisor. Alert your supervisor to the presence of strangers in your work area or the presence of any suspicious packages.

· In the event of armed robbery, comply with the robber’s demands, including demands for the company money or property.

Coping with Threatening or Violent Individuals

Effective handling of threatening or violent individuals requires you to use good judgment and common sense and rely on your own assessment of the particular situation. Nevertheless, you might be able to resolve or cope with many types of threatening or violent situations by following the guidelines below.

When confronted with an angry or hostile individual:

1. Stay calm.

2. Listen attentively.

3. Maintain eye contact.

4. Be courteous and patient, but try to keep the situation under control by expressing a willingness to sit and calmly discuss the matter with the individual

When confronted with a person shouting, swearing, threatening violence, or engaging in bizarre or dangerous behavior:

1. Stay calm.

2. Be courteous and patient, but maintain your distance from the individual.

3. Signal a co-worker or supervisor that you need help. Do not call for help yourself if the individual in directly confronting you.

4. Have the co-worker or supervisor call the local police.

When confronted by someone with a gun, knife, or other weapon:

1. Stay calm.

2. Never try to grab the weapon.

3. Quietly signal a co-worker or supervisor that you need help. Do not call for help yourself if the individual is directly confronting you.

4. Have the co-worker or supervisor call the local police.

5. Be courteous and patient. Keep talking, but follow the instructions from the person who has the weapon. Stall for time, but do not risk harm to yourself or others.

6. Watch for a safe chance to escape to a safe area. Take direction from the police once they arrive on the scene.

Work practices and Security Procedures

· Report any suspicious activities or unauthorized persons on the premises as well as all threatening or violent incidents.

· Require your visitors to sign-in.

· Keep publicly accessible restrooms locked.

· Ensure signs are posted alerting visitors or customers that only a minimal amount of money is kept on the premises.

· Employees leaving work late are encouraged to request an escort to their cars.

· Open packages and other large envelopes only if sender is positively identified.

· Report suspicious packages or unattended bags or boxes. Keep offices orderly so that suspicious packages are noticed more readily.